Exhibitions 2012

Click here to download a PDF of our Upcoming Exhibition

Schedule and Membership Information Brochure for 2012

Click here to see the exhibition schedule for

THE LITTLE GALLERY

PORTRAYING AFRICAN AMERICANS WITH RESPECT

After the Civil War in both the late 19th & early 20th centuries, there were many artists who treated the portrayal of African Americans with respect and showed portraits and genre scenes from every day life. This exhibition looks at how they portrayed African Americans and what particular subjects and symbols they included in these drawings, prints, paintings and sculpture.

The following talks and activities are in conjunction with the exhibition:

• Friday, May 4, from 5:30 to 7:00pm - Opening Reception
• Tuesday, May 8, 11 am, Gallery Talk with Paul Worman, biographer of Thomas Waterman Wood.
• Tuesday, May 15, 11 am, Gallery talk about the exhibition by Richard Waterhouse, Curator of the exhibition
• Tuesday, May 22, 7 pm, Wine and Book Discussion of Susie King Taylor's “Reminiscences of My Life in Camp: An African American Woman’s Civil War Memoir" with an introduction by Catherine Clinton. RSVP by May 21 by calling the Museum (508)428-7481.

Artists included in the exhibition are: John George Brown (1831-1913), Lyell E. Carr (1857-1912), Jefferson D. Chalfant (1856-1931), John Steuart Curry (1897 - 1946), John Enhinger (1827-1889), Philip Evergood (1901-1973), Charles Goater, Thomas Hovendon (1840-1895), Hal Alexander Courtney Morrison (c. 1850–1927), Sheldon Parsons (1866-1943)
Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1848-1907), Platt Powell Ryder (1821-1896), Thomas Waterman Wood (1823-1903), and George Hand Wright (1873-1951).

Galleries and Museums lending works for the exhibition include: Brock and Company, Inc., Concord, MA; Davies Fine Arts, New Canaan, CT; Menconi and Schoelkopf Fine Art, New York, New York; Morris Museum of Art, Augusta, GA; Spanierman Gallery, Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site, Cornish, NH, T.W. Wood Gallery and Art Center, and Paul Worman Fine Art, New York, New York.

Many of the artists show a special sensitivity to the African American by the way he portrays a special moment. For example, Lyell E. Carr (1857-1912), in his amazing watercolor, “Noontime-Mending Chairs”, shows the man patiently fixing a chair that has broken because it has been sat in one too many times. Other artists, like John George Brown (1831-1913), in his work “Hard Times”, shows the despair in the man’s face obviously being greatly affected by the hard times after the Civil War since the works was completed in 1870.

This view of African Americans after the Civil War show them being treated with respect by the artists in their portrayal and takes the viewer back to a time when life was so hard and equality was only a dream and not reality.

A FAMILY OF ARTISTS: THE GRUPPÉ FAMILY

During the 19th and 20th centuries, the Gruppé family contributed to the New England art scene by producing many artists including: Charles Paul Gruppé (1860-1940), his son Karl (1893-1982), his son Emile (1896-1978), his daughter Virginia (1907-1980) and his grandson Robert (b.1928). This exhibition will look at their colorful careers and how they influenced each other as artists.

The following talks and activities are in conjunction with the exhibition and are included in the price of admission:

• Friday, March 16, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. - Public Opening Reception

• Tuesday, April 3, 11:00 a.m.
  Richard Waterhouse will talk about the legacy of the Gruppé family

• Tuesday, April 10, 7:00 p.m.
  Wine and Book Discussion of Joseph M. Orlando’s “The Fisherman’s Son”. This has been rescheduled and the author will NOT be attending. Richard Waterhouse will lead the discussion. RSVP by April 9 at 508 428-7581

• Tuesday, April 17, 11:00 a.m.
  Tour of the exhibition.

REAWAKENINGS: Emerging from Winter into Spring

Some years the shift from winter into spring is very dramatic and others it is slow and subtle. This exhibition, which benefits the Barnstable Land Trust, looks at how the artists portray that change from winter into spring in both rural and city settings.

The following talks and activities are in conjunction with the exhibition and are included in the price of admission.

• Friday February 3 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. - Public Opening Reception

• Tuesday, February 21at 7 pm. - Wine and Book Discussion of “Journal of Henry David Thoreau 1837-1861”. If you are interested in participating, please RSVP by February 19th at 508 428-7581.

• Tuesday, February 28, 11:00 a.m. - Gallery Talk Richard Waterhouse will talk about the symbols of going from winter into spring and what civilizations have enthusiastically celebrated this time of year.

• Tuesday, March 6, 11:00 am. - Gallery Talk and possible walking tour.
Barnstable Land Trust will talk about their mission and lands that they manage close to the museum. Weather permitting, the presentation will lead into a walking tour of near by property.

February 1-March 11
Reawakenings: Emerging from Winter into Spring
If you live on the Cape, you know how some years the shift from winter into spring is very dramatic. This exhibition is a benefit for the Barnstable Land Trust and looks at how artists portray that change from winter into spring.

March 13-April 29
A Family of Artists: Gruppé Family
During the 19th century and the 20th century, the Gruppé family contributed to the New England art scene by producing many artists including: Charles Paul Gruppé (1860-1940) and his sons Emille (1896-1978) and Karl (1893-1192). This exhibition will look at their colorful careers and how they influenced each other as artists.

May 1-June 10
Portraying African Americans with Respect
Shortly after the Civil War, there was a group of artists who treated African Americans with respect and showed genre scenes portraying African Americans in every day life. This exhibition will look at how they portrayed African Americans and what particular subjects they included in these scenes.

June 12-July 22
Italia: The Influence of Italy on American Artists
New England artists have been influenced by Italy and this exhibition will look at how that influence affects their work.

July 24-September 16
Come Eat at our Table: Items for the Meal
This exhibition will be a collaboration with Cape Cod potters and crafts persons and will spotlight unique items that are related to a meal.

July 24-September 16
Nantucket Baskets from the Collection of Clara Hayes Barrett
Come view these exquisite Nantucket baskets which relate closely to the history of this charming island.

September 18-November 4
All Hallows’ Eve
In honor of Halloween, this exhibition will look at how artists portray Halloween in their work.

November 6-December 30
Cherubs: From Imps to Angels
This exhibition will look at the wide variety of the portrayal of cherubs in American Art. It will include painting, sculpture and photography.